Seine-needle



W. J. MAY.

SEINE NEEDLE.

Patented Mar. 23, 1897.

lgaagfm',

William J May,

WVILLIAM J. MAY, OF HOMOSASSA, FLORIDA.

SElNE-NEEDLE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 579,157, dated March 23, 1897.

' Application filed November 5,1895. Serial No. 668,017. (No model.)

To all whom zit may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. MAY, acitizen of the United States, residing at Homo sassa, in the county of Citrus and State of Florida, have invented a new and useful Seine-Needle, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to needles of the class used in the manufacture and repair of fishermens nets or seines, hammocks, &c.

The object of the present invention is to provide, in connection with a needle of the description referred to, a knife orsevering blade which may be wholly contained within the body of the needle and yet be capable of being readily thrust out of the pocket in which it'is seated when required for use.

To the above end the invention consists of a netting-needle embodying certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the drawings ,and finally pointed out in the claims.

I11 the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a needle constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a face View of the needle with the knife and knife-plate removed. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the knife. Fig. at is a similar view of the knife-plate, looking toward the inner face thereof.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a needle such as is used in the manufacture and repair of nets, seines, hammocks, &c., the same being provided with the usual pointed end 2, the U-shaped threadholding slot or eye 3, the included prong 4, and the notch 5 at its rear end for receiving the rear loops of the strand rove upon the needle.

For the purpose of carrying out the present invention one of the side portions of the needle, adjacent to the main thread-holdin g prong 4, is rabbeted or grooved, as indicated at 6, said groove being extended to the point of the needle and into the needle-body beyond the eye, thus leaving shoulders 6 and 7, between which a knife-blade 8 is adapted to slide. This knife-blade comprises a cutting-point or expanded advance end 13, which corresponds approximately to one-half of the point of the tends longitudinally of the needle and rests within the groove 6 and against the shoulder o above referred to, the inner edge of the knife resting against the centrally-located shoulder 7, also described. The knife-blade 8 is thus seated and adapted to slide within a groove in the side face of the needle and is located entirely within the plane of such face.

9 designates the knife plate or guard of metal, which is secured to the face of the needle in such manner as to overlie and inclose the knife-blade. This knife-plate is constructed to have an inner curved edge or flange 10, which rests within and against the inner edge of the side portion of the needle within which the groove is formed for the knife, said curved edge or flange serving as a guide for the inner edge of the shank of the knife-blade. The inner rectangular end of the knife-plate 9 is received in a recess 12 in the body of the needle, so as to bring said plate flush with the needle. The forward eX tremity of the knife-plate is expanded suflioiently to cover and protect the expanded advance end 13 of the knife-blade and eX- tends sufficiently to one side thereof to provide for securing said knife-plate in proximity to the point of the needle by means of a pin or rivet or other suitable fastening device, as shown. The knife-blade thus rests between the needle proper and the knifeplate, and is capable of being moved as to its cutting edge or point outward when needed for use by means of a headed pin or stud. 11, projecting outward from the shank of the blade through a longitudinal slot in the plate 9, as shown.

By means of the construction above described a very convenient and handy needle is obtained which will be found of especial value wherever, in the mending or repairing of nets or seines, it becomes necessary to sever any of the strands. Vork of this character is nearly always done adjacent to or over a body of water, and as the use of a knife is constantly required it requires great caution to avoid dropping an ordinary penknife overboard. With this device, however, the blade is located in the needle, where it will be always convenient, and in addition thereto it has a positive connection with the needle, and as the needle is attached to the cord with which the repairing is being done it Will be impossible for such knife to become lost.

In severing the cord or twine the curved point 88 of the needle forms a rest therefor, and as the knife is thrustoutward its curved cutting edge bears against the cord or twine and produces a shearing out, severing the cord at the point where it rests against the needle.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is-' v 1. A seine-needle having its body provided my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM J. MAY.

WVitnesses:

GEROCK, S. S. LYLES. 

